Duck Confit

We were sad to see in February that our long standing favorite for duck confit--Gourmet de Isle, on the Rue St. Louis en I%26#39;lle--is no more. It was a small, local place, with a E25 prix fixe lunch that featured the best confit we have ever tasted. Any suggestions for your favorites for duck confit for our April trip would be appreciated.

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Try Lescure at 7 rue de Mondovi, 1st Arr. 01.42.66.18.91. It%26#39;s inexpensive, crowded, small, and does not take reservations. Also Le Vieux Bistro at 14 rue Cloitre (next to Notre Dame), 4th Arr. 01.43.54.18.95. Moderately priced. Both places have very good confit de canard.

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I had a wonderful duck confit a couple years ago at Relais Odeon, on Blvd St Germain. I just had dinner there a few nights ago too, but I had scallops this time.

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Pardon my ignorance but what is duck confit?

Merci!

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Luveurope--we stay at the Relais St. Sulpice, which is just a few blocks from the Relais Odeon, and can almost picture it, but never thought to stop in, even though it was recommended. I guess that we just try to stay away from most things on St. Germain--too touristy. But it sounds like we might try it, after all-- hard to ignore a fellow Chicagoian.

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David%26amp;Kim: If you go to Relais Odeon make sure you sit in the %26quot;back%26quot; of the restaurant facing the Rue St Andre des Arts. It is beautiful back there. This bistro dates from 1900, and I really don%26#39;t think much has changed in the back dining room. The front side on Blvd St Germain is more modernized and informal.

I%26#39;d be happy to recommend a few other restaurants in this same area if you are interested. I tried a couple new ones with fabulous results this past trip.

I have considered staying at the Relais St Sulpice. My next trip will be in July, can you tell me do all the rooms have A/C, or just some of the rooms?

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Midorigal: It%26#39;s just roasted duck cooked in its own fat. It%26#39;s delicious. Someone else can probably describe it better.

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Luveurope:

April will be our 8th trip to Paris (in 2.5 years--we%26#39;re addicted), and we have always stayed at the Relais St. Sulpice, so we are very familiar with the area. I%26#39;m sure we can swap recommendations, as we are big foodies. Contact us at planecrashlaw@yahoo.com.

The hotel does have a/c, and have needed it in May and August, only, although May %26#39;04 was unusually warm. Our usual room (14) has French doors opening to the St. Sulpice church, and on all but the hottest days provide a nice breeze. You%26#39;ll love the place.

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David %26amp; Kim,

Funny thing, we were in Paris in May 04 and I remember it as being farily chilly as did our daughter who came over from DC area for the first 10 days of May. Just shows how different people experiencing the same thing can have different opinions...........Just thought I would mention that for everyone who think their experience is the real thing.

Bea

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I checked to see if there are Paris weather archives--no luck. But I swear that we were sitting by the lakes at the Bois de Bologne having a wine and cheese picnick,wearing shorts, on 4 May 2004, people were laying out and we got a bit of a burn! And while the hotel did have A/C, I now recall that it was not turned on for the season--but needed to be. Like I said, at least those days were unusually warm, but I would agree that A/C would not be needed on a %26quot;normal%26quot; day in May. I guess that we were just very fortunate.